fair amount of the bulk charging done and let the solar finish it off the rest of the day. -- jimindenver... ]] batteries healthy, so [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|combining with solar]] is common
[[opinion:frater_secessus:pareto|about these summaries]]
===== overvi... eply discharged
* when [[electrical:12v:alt and solar|combined with solar]] or some other higher-voltag
shunt cannot be counted.**
Note: [[electrical:solar:status|Watching amps trail off]] at the end of le... to the app or directly to other Victron gear like solar charge controllers.((the Orion-TR is a notable an... d operate their [[https://amzn.to/2SuOYmr|SX-2030 solar charge controller]]. The monitor will still prov
will be difficult to tell. -- BB((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/191612#Comment_19... it probably would work fine -- BB((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/191612#Comment_19... trical:converter|converter]]
- some also handle solar charging
They tend to be [[https://amzn.to/2KMcI... m.((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/solar-living/15554-how-to-increase-solar-panel-ou
estyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of wisdom]]: //"Any Solar is better than no solar, but having too much solar is difficult. The best solar systems are those which can keep the batteries the happiest. Happy batteri
voltage is rarely useful in the field since:
- solar charging alone is rarely able to hit charge curre... s.((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/batteries-energy-storage/14996-trojan-t-105-vs-cr... stilled water occasionally.
Common [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] (check yo... g current** than flooded, and it may be more than solar-only setups can provide.((http://www.cheaprvlivin
nsive (and maybe impossible) get Big Current with solar alone and difficult (or even impossible) to compl... on alternator alone. But [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|small amounts of both combine]] to make a workabl... expensive charging system.
For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and e... rnator-only charging** [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|can work with lithium banks]] but for technical r
|DIY LiFePO4 Battery Banks subforum]] over on DIY Solar. You can also see the [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_b... al heaters.
The [[https://diysolarforum.com/|DIY Solar Forums]] are a good place to check for updated in... hought)) Upsides include:
* greater [[opinion:solar:sizing.walkthrough#days_of_autonomy|autonomy]] when charging is absent or limited due to poor solar conditions
* supporting larger discharge curren
voltage to specific charging voltage [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] and limit... ion as it might seem since lead-acid [[electrical:solar:status#in_absorption|current acceptance drops sub... ach day.)) This is where [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|a bit of solar helps with the long-duration duties]].
DC-DC chargers are often triggered by the IGN cir
concurrent charging source]] for an alternator is solar.
**Example**: Let's assume the same 14.0v alternator output and solar contribution that pushes up Vbatt by 0.3V
* I=... v-**13.0v**)/0.020mR = 1.0v/0.020mR = 50A without solar
* I=V/R = (14v-**13.3v**)/0.020mR = 0.7v/0.020mR = 35A with solar
Note: this occurs because alternators are volta
h this page was written with alternator-augmented solar charging in mind, the general principles also apply to solar+[[electrical:shore_power|shore power charging]] and solar+[[electrical:generator|generator]] charging. Also... ical:12v:power_mix|Deciding on a Power Mix]].
> Solar and DC-DC alternator charging are going to be the
l:generator|generator]] to get bulk stage going. Solar alone //might// be sufficient but it might require meaningful [[electrical:solar:overpaneling|overpaneling]].
* fully charge l
ouse battery]] charging sources:
* [[electrical:solar|solar]]
* [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]]
* [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]]
* [[electrical:generator|generator]]
* etc
Some solar installs will even have separate [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controllers]] running their
Some [[electrical:12v:b2b#examples_-_combo_with_solar_charge_controller|combo DC-DC chargers]] contain logic to maintain the starter battery when solar power is present.
Some standalone solar charge controllers like the [[https://amzn.to/2PPTD2L|Morningst... or example, charge the start battery with 10% of solar harvest and the house battery with 90% using diff
s written from the standpoint of the [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]]. It affects all circuits to some degree and is not limited to solar. -- secessus]
In typical installs the charge con... And it may //not// be a problem since since
- solar-only charging is often low-current charging, mini